who teach that the erroneous should be forced to return unto the Church albeit the antient scandals be not removed and new ones are multiplied c. He speaks also of their means of alluring men of their policies and corruptions more particularly Another saith The four wings of these locusts are arrogancy of learning their flattering of Princes and wealthy persons impudence in denying and the great power that they have purchased CHAP. IV. Of BRITANNE 1. I Left at the gracious providence of God towards Queen Elisabet in God protected Queen Elisabeth continuance thereof is here to be remembred 1. that Pope Pius V. did accurse her An. 1569. and caused the Breve to be affixed on the Bishop of London's palace An. 1570. by John Felton yet neither did her subjects love her the less nor other Princes leave off correspondence with her and the worst effect was Felton was hanged and. 2. The Earls of Northhumberland and Westmerland hearing of the curse and trusting to the promises of aid from the Pope and from Spain raised a rebellion in the North the one was taken and beheaded and Westmerland escaped into Flanders and died in a poor condition 3. The next year Leonard Dacres began to revive the rebellion in the same Shiers and was soon defeated 4. About the same time Iohn Story a Doctor of law and one Prestol were apprehended and convinced of treason for giving information unto Duke d'Alva how he might invade England and cause Irland revolt 5. John â—esley bishop of Ross plotted with sundry Englishes to intercept the Queen and set Queen Mary at liberty An. 1571. God turned their plots to their dammage 6. John Duke of Austria aiming at that kingdom sought Queen Mary in marriage in the midst of his projected plots he died suddenly An. 1567. 7. Thomas stuckly plotted first with Pius V. and then with Gregory XV. to conquer Irland unto the Pope's son he was made General and sent away with 800. Italians but God disposed so that Stukly was first employd to aid Sebastian King of Portugal against the Mauritanians and died there 8. Nicolas Sanders a priest entred into Irland with an Army of Spaniards An 1580. and ioyning with other rebellious Papists made a great insurrection they were soon quasshed 9. The next year numbers of Seminaries and Jesuits came from Rome to prepare the subiects unto a change and to take part with forrein powers when they shall come into the Land for this cause greater restraint was layd upon Papists of those incendiaries some were executed for treason and many were sent out of the kingdom 10. In the year 1583. John Somerwill was taken when he was going to kill the Queen he confessed that he was persvaded to do so byreading books written by the Seminaries he was condemned and strangled himself in New-gate 11. An. 1585. William Parry having an absolution from the Pope vowed to kill her but God struck him with such terror that having opportunity he could not do it his purpose was discovered and he received the reward of a traitor 12. An. 1586. John Ballard a priest stirred up some gentle men to kill Her when she went abroad to take the air this was discovered before they had opportunity they confessed their plot to bring-in forrein forces fourteen was executed as traâ—tors 13. William Stafford a young gentle man and one Moody were persvaded by a forrein Ambassador lying in England An 1587 to kill Her this was discovered 14. An. 1588. Philip King of Spain sent an hudge navy which he supposed as it was called invincible the Lord of land and sea heard the prayers of both kingdoms England and Scotland and dissipated that naâ—y by stormy winds 15. An. 1593. Lopez a Iew and the Queen 's ordinary Physician undertook to poison her upon promise of 50000. crouns from King Philip but before the hyre came the traitor was punished 16. The next year Patrik Cullen an Irish fencer was hired by English fugitives in Flanders to kill Her intelligence was given and he was apprehended 17. The same year other two undertook the â—ame fact as also to set her Navy on fire with bals of wild-fire and received the like reward 18. An. 1598. Edward Squire was suborned in Spain by a Iesuit to poison Her by laying strong poison on the pommel of the sadle whereon she was wont to ride that she laying her hand on it might carry the sent of it unto her nose Squire followed direction and did the deed on a day when she was going to ride and if She had touched the pommel it had been her death but Divine providence so ruled that she touched it not the treason was discovered and rewarded 19. The Earle of Tyron came from Spain An 1599. and raised the greatest rebellion in Irland that was in her time yet he was overthrown 20 An. 1600. a plot was layd to remove some chief Officers and Counselors from her and then the Papists thought to find their opportunity this project was discovered and prevented 20. Henry Garnet Superior of the Seminaries in England and others had another plot and sent Thomas winter into Spain An. 1601. King Philip embraced the motion and promised to help them but before it came the Queen ended her dayes in peace Seing so many plots were discovered it may not improbably be iudged that moe were intended but she was so safe under the wings of the Almighty that neither open hostility nor privy conspiracy could annoy her The remembrance hereof may teach others to trust in God as the safest policy I return unto Church-affaires First we may profitably observe the cause of the difference in the Reformation of the Churches in those two Kingdoms It is true both looked unto the Worde as the rule of Reformation but they varied in the manner of application for England held that whatsoever in discipline and rites is not contrary unto Gods word should be retained for in the twentieth article of the Convocation An. 1563. it is said The Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies and authority in matters of faith and yet it is not lawfull for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary unto Gods word neither may it so expound one place that it be contrary unto another wherefore although the Church be a witness and keeper of holy Writ yet as it not ought not decree any thing against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of salvation But Scotland applied the Rule more closs in this manner What soever hath not a warrant in the Word should be abolished as in the fourtienth article of Confession they say Evill works are not only those that are done expresly against Gods commandement but those also that in matters of religion and inworshipping of God have no other assurance but the invention and opinion of man which God hath ever from the beginning rejected as by the prophet Isaiah and
too wealthy and their successours tooke more pleasure in their wealth then in their industry and piety and when wealth was severed from godliness they became proud and ambitious yet would not want the name of holiness and by the name of holiness with too much wealth they did climbe I will not say unto the highest pinacle of honour but unto Divine honour and were exalted above all that is called God and laid aside even the word of God So that then it might have been said Spernitur à Româ Scriptura novissima Dotum that is when the Romane Church had forsaken piety of conversation purity of worship order of discipline equity of Civill things and all graces or gifts of God lastly she despised the very written word of God Nevertheless God left not men inexcusable nor suffered He them to passe without reproofe by some Witnesses of his Truth even under the grossest darkness And so we have heard not only the Waldenses and such others which made separation from the Church of Rome as the Greeks but some Monks some Abbots some priests some Bishops some Universities some Counsels of States some Parliamens some Councels yea some Cardinals and Popes which were and did continue members of the Romane Church now and then bewailing and declaring the corrupt estate of the Church both in the pretented head and in the body thereof for the greatest part not only in manners rites and discipline but in doctrine also We have heard some professing a desire and attempting a Reformation but were ever hindered by the Popes and court of Rome How then can any man be so impudent if he be not altogether ignorant to say that the Church of Rome hath never erred nor can erre We have heard also some foretelling that a Reformation must bee and shall be yea and some pointing at the very time and year of Reformation We have seen the world prepared for a Reformation by store of antient books printed and spread through Europe by reviving of Liberall Sciences and the prime tongues and by multitude of learned men It followes now to behold how God Reformed his Church not by the direct intention of men but in spite of all his adversaries and as it pleased Him in wisdom for the manifesting of his glory and mercy toward ungratefull mankind PART II. CHAP. I. Of POPES HADRIAN VI. borne in Utrecht of Belgia for his learning and sagacity of judgement was called from Lovan to be Tutour unto Charls the young King of Spaine then he became Bishop of Derthuse and chief Counseller unto Charles and Governour of Spain in the Kings absence and at that time being known at Rome by report only he was chosen Pope January 9. An. 1522. When he was advertised of the election he wrote Letters of thanks unto the Colledge of Cardinals for the good opinion they had conceived of him and whereas three Cardinals were appointed to be sent unto him he desired them to spare their travell for as soone as it might possibly bee he would come unto Rome And because the Senate and people of Rome were displeased that a stranger should have that Dignity he wrote unto them promising whatsoever favour could be expected from him He arrived at Rome in August following In the mean time Soliman the Turk was besieging the isle Rodos And in the seventh moneth carryed it by composition to the great shame of Christians J. Sleidan Comment Lib. 3. adfin It appeares that from Spain Hadrian wrote unto Erasmus to write against Luther and accordingly in an epistle dat Basileae prid jd. Julii An. 1522. ad Jodoc President of the Senate of Mechline he saith Here and there partly by word and partly by epistles I have turned away many from the Lutheran faction and nothing hath discouraged the Lutherans minds so much as that I have openly declared my adherence unto the Romane high priest and disallowing Luthers cause Cheregat was sent with a Brieve as they speak dated Novemb 25. 1522. from Hadrian unto the Princes of Germany shewing that it was grievous unto him that Luther had moved such a stirre and sedition for it concerneth the loss of souls and the destruction of the flock now committed unto him and it is hapned to beginne in the same Country where he was borne which Nation was ever furthest from all supicion of heresy wherefore he craves earnestly that they would helpe to remedy it as quickly as might bee lest through longer delay it happen unto Germany as it did unto Bohem and he promiseth that he will spare neither mony nor travell here in beseeching them that they will every one according to his power do the like seing so many weighty causes may move them heerunto to wit the Glory of Gods holy Name is by this heresy chiefly obscured the rites of the Church are defaced and in a manner abolished and Germany which was wont to have the chief praise of religion now for this revolt cometh into contempt for when they might have easily dispatched Luther and quenched his heresies they have not done it so degenerating from their ancestours which have left a notable example of their vertue at Constance Is it not a most notorious wrong that Luther doth unto them and their forefathers for where as they have followed the religion of the Romane Church now when he condemned that religion he condemned them Let them weigh seriously what those fellowes do intend verily under pretence of Evangelical liberty to take away all Lawes and Magistrates Albeit first he seemes only to impugne the rulers of the Church as tyrannicall and wicked and hitherto they doe craftily hide their intention and traiterously and do flatter Magistrates to the end they may the more freely utter malice against the Clergy but when the clergy are opprest doubtless they will attempt further ..... Luther differeth not much from the sect of Mahomet which permits men to marry many wifes and then to forsake them by which means that wretched hypocrite hath bewitched and allured the greatest part of the world albeit Luther permits not this yet he aduiseth all men which have vowed chastity to marry so giving way unto mans lust that he may have the more to be of his confederacy to the utter destruction of the Commonwealth especially of Germany Therefore it is their part to put in execution the decrees of Pope Leo and of Caesar ...... If any will say Luther was condemned ere he was heard or it is reason the cause should be debated these men think amisse for Christ had taught us the rule of faith and religion whose authority we must follow and not skan the articles of faith by humane reason nor enquire the cause of this or that precept Indeed he is to be heard when he is examined whether he spake thus or thus whether he set forth this or that book but touching the faith and sacraments we may not permit him to dispute nor defend these things which he had written
but ye may see that Oswald did not worship the wooden Cross and that no such Cross is to be adored but that he set his mind on the suffering of Christ by which Cross or Suffering he did believe to be saved In the same Chapter he saith The Apostle saith not in vain Death reigned from Adam to Moses even over them which had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression who is the figure of him who was to come This figure of him who was to come I do so understand as the first Adam was the cause of our death even unto us who did not eat of the forbidden Tree so is Christ the cause of eternal life As the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil through its own nature had not death so the Tree whereby eternal life is granted unto us hath not this vertue of it self but of his vertue who although he was infirm for us liveth by the power of God which power can never and in no respect be resisted This is against the hymns of the Cross and the resistibility of God's grace In Cap. 17. he sheweth that the Romans had then candles and lamps of Wax and what signification they gave unto them he had not seen them before neither is there any record of them before that time and then saith By every thing should we bring Christ unto our mind as Augustine writeth to Januarius but foolish men who will not be amended should not think that these candles are to be adored because by them some similitude of Divine mysteries is figured seeing from every creature we may bring a similitude Doth he not here condemn all the devised rites of men Lib. 2. cap. 5. he speaketh against the keeping of Lent and denieth that the Authour thereof can be shewed And Cap. 25. The Office of a Bishop and a Priest is almost the same but because they differ in name and honour they are distinguished by variety of slippers or pantofles He hath many such rites and the meaning of them as seemeth by way of derision Lib. 3. Cap. 24. Christ took bread and also the cup whereof Cyprian saith to Caecilius We find that we observe not what Christ hath commanded unless we do also the same things which the Lord did and so mixing the cup we depart not from the Divine instruction Although he Cyprian hath concluded this of mixing the wine and water yet he may understand that it is to be done of the whole institution wherein consisteth the command of the Lord and of his Apostles So saith he and so do the Reformed Churches practice but the Roman Church doth not so Afterward Amalarius became Bishop of Trevers and was sent by Charls the Great unto the Emperour Michael and as Trithemius writeth from the Records of Trevers by his wonderfull industry and eloquence he did establish peace and amity between the two Emperours He died An. 813. 11. In the last part of this Century arose the great men in the service of Romish forgeries the Pope to wit Johannis Diaconus surnamed Digitorum and Riculph Bishop of Mentz John did forge the Bull of Constantine's donation wherein he would perswade the world that Constantine had given unto Bishop Sylvester and his Successours for ever the City of Rome with other Cities and parts of Italy Io. Bodin de Repub. lib. 1. cap. 9. ex Actis Vatica The falshood of this feigned donation was known unto the World by every History but at that time who did dare to controle it The Bishops and Clergy thought that it was for their advantage and there was no established Prince in Italy yet under pretence thereof the Pope did inlarge their power even although many did convince that donation of falshood Then Hincmar Bishop of Rhemes in his book against the Bishop of Laudun testifieth that Riculph in the daies of Charls the Great gathered together some forged Epistles of the old Bishops of Rome and brought them from Spain into France and binding them with the foresaid Donation gave them forth in the name of Isidore Of the authority of these Epistles Gratian hath written Dist 20. cap. de libellis there is an Epistle of Pope Leo the IV. directed unto the Bishops of Britan In the Epistle Leo taketh all the authority from the decretal Epistles and other Writs of Popes except Sylvester Siricius Innocentius Zosimus Coelestine Leo Hilarius Gelasius Ormisda and Gregory These saith he are all and only by whom the Bishops do judge and by whom the Bishops and Clergy are judged if any doubt cannot be determined by them nor by Augustine Jerom Isidore and other holy Doctours it should be brought unto the Apostolical See But all others that were before these with one dash he contemneth that is he renounceth all the writings of the Bishops of Rome who lived the first 300. years as suppositions The Authour of Catal. test ver lib. 8. is very large in describing the usurpations and many policies of the Popes for inlarging their power and incroaching upon Bishops in several Nations as also their infinite rites that were then devised 12. In the daies of Dagobert King of France Rudbert was Bishop of Some Provinces in Germany and Hungary receive the faith Worms a singular good man and very learned and Theoto was Duke of Bavaria an Heathen yet hearing of the good fame of Rudbert he sent and intreated him to come into his Country The good man went and was received by the Duke in Ratisbon with great liking and did teach him the Christian religion and then did inform others both noble and ignoble all along the Danube thence he went unto Vualarium and Juvavia where the Christian faith had been taught long before there were some Churches but were decayed as Rudbert understood by report therefore he sought leave from Theoto to go thither to reform these parts so finding many people willing to be informed he returned into Worms and brought other twelve Teachers into these places with him and having established Churches did return in his old age and died in Worms At the same time Samo Duke of Slavi an Heathen did kill several Merchants coming from France for to trade in his land and took their goods therefore Dagobert sent an Army against Samo and brought him into subjection Not long thereafter the Hunni did oppress that land and their Duke Boruth sent for aid unto the Bavarians who did overthrow the Huns and for keeping the Slavi under better obedience of the King they would have hostages Boruth granted to give his son Cacatius and his brothers son Chetumar and did desire to have them informed in the Christian faith When Boruth died Dagobert sent back Cacatius being now a Christian and after three years he dying Pipin sent Chetumar who was diligent to have Preachers and to instruct the people in the faith he did invite Virgilius Bishop of Juvavien who would not go but sent Modestus Wato Regimbert Latinus Gontharius Presbyters and
how oft all do eat at the Altar indifferently one eats the flesh of Christ spiritually and another not although we see that he takes a morsel from the Priest's hand What then getteth he seeing there is but one consecration if he get not the body and blood of Christ Truly because he eateth unworthily as Paul saith he eats and drinks damnation to himself Ca. 15. Drink ye all of this as well Ministers as Beleevers In many Chapters he distinguisheth between the sign and the thing signified Biblioth de la Bigne tom 6. 24. When Leo Armenius Emperour of Constantinople had Wars with The conversion of the Bulgarians Martagon Prince of Bulgaria his sister was taken Captive the Emperour caused her to be instructed in the Christian faith and she was baptized Martagon sent for her and in lieu of her he sent her husband Cuphara When she was returned she did commend unto her Brother the Christian religion many a time but he did nothing regard her speeches untill the Country was plagued with pestilence and famine and then he called upon that God whom his sister had so oft talked of that he would deliver him and his people Soon thereafter they were delivered and he did acknowledge the power of Christ and sent unto the Emperour for Teachers then he was baptized But the people moved insurrection against him because he had forsaken the rites of his Ancestours He was nothing afraid but became victorious and then they all became Christians Zonar Ann. tom 3. After the death of the Emperour Theophilus the Prince of Bulgaria seeing the Empire to be governed by a woman and a young child sent unto Constantinople alledging his League now to be out of date and he denounceth wars Theodora returned answer that she would defend the Empire and if it shall please God that she prevail he would be overcom by a woman and he may consider what a shame that were unto him but if she were overcom his victory were not honourable in taking advantage of a woman When he received this answer he was content to renew the former league Zonar ibid. I mark this History to shew the difference of people in old times from them who have lived lately when Kings will make Wars without any denounciation or accepting any reasonable intreaty The Emperour Basilius Macedo did perswade many Jews to imbrace and many Iews Christian religion and to effect that he gave them both money and liberty He made also a League with the Rhossiti a Nation of Scythians by the Mountain Taurus but upon condition that they would accept Christianity and some Scythians and sent Teachers unto them But they lingre and said unto the Bishop That they would see some of those miracles which he said Christ had wrought or else they would not beleeve him Then said he Say what you would have done They answered Throw that book into the fire which teacheth of Christ and if it burn not it shall be an argument unto us that Christ is God whom thou preachest The Bishop was content a fire is kindled and the Bishop lifting up his eys and hands unto Heaven said O Jesu Christ very God glorifie thy own name So before them all he threw the Gospel into the fire It continued in the fire a long space without any change The Barbarians were astonished and beleeving in Christ did crave to be baptized Zonar loc cit 1. Note how he calleth the elements Sacraments as it was usual then and it hath been observed in others 2. Platina in Sixto 1. and Prayer without book Pol. Vergil de invent rer lib. 5. cap. 10. say These things were done simply at the first for when Peter did consecrate he used the prayer Our Father which art .... and others have augmented them Platin. in Celestin 1. saith When the Epistle was read and the Gospel the sacrifice was ended Which is so to be understood that they at first had not a set or prescribed form of prayer but only the Lord's Prayer which they did use and the Apostles and other Ministers in every Church when believers were assembled made their prayers unto God as the spirit gave them utterance Chrysostom on Rom. 8. hom 14. saith With other gifts they had also the gift of prayer which was also called The Spirit and he who had this gift did pray for the whole multitude for because they were ignorant of expedient things and we pray for things which are not profitable the gift of prayer came upon one who being set in place of them all did pray for what was expedient unto the Church and also did instruct others to pray So here the Spirit is called that gift of prayer which then was given and it is the soul which did pray unto God and sigh for he who was honoured with this gift did stand and with much compunction and many groans supplicating unto God according to the earnestness of his mind did pray for those things which were expedient unto all And Tertullian in Apologet. mentioning the same custom in his time saith We looking up to Heaven with our hands stretched forth as being innocent and bareheaded as not ashamed make our prayers Sive Monitore without a Directory as coming from the free motion of our own hearts And by that testimony of Platina in Celestin 1. who lived about the year 423. what other parts of the Mass besides the Gospel and the Epistles are fathered upon others and are of later standing and were not in use in the Roman Church before Celestine Iustin in Apolo 2. fully sheweth the manner of Christian Service in his time The ancient Christians saith he had their meetings on the Sunday they began with prayers for the Church especially for the inlightned which were to be baptized Then the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles are read as time permits When the Reader causeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he who hath the charge hath a Sermon unto the people and exhorts them all unto the imitation of the best things then all do rise up and pour forth prayers again When the prayers are ended Bread and Wine being mixed with Water is brought forth which being taken he who hath the charge goeth before the people with an earnest voice in praising God and thanksgiving and the people do answer with a loud voice Amen Then the Deacons divide the holy signs unto all them which are present and carry the same unto the absent This food we call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thanksgiving whereof none may partake unless he beleeve the true doctrine and be washed in the laver unto regeneration and remission of sins and live so as Christ hath directed and the ordinance of Christ is thus observed after this is a gathering of Alms. That Father which lived in the second Century hath no more of the Christian Liturgy unless ye will add that in another place he saith After the prayer they did kiss one another and of that
be regarded but are nul In Sess 5. Apr. 6. was another Decree much to the same purpose In Sess 6. Apr. 17. a Procuratory of renunciation was sent to Pope John and the Messengers were ordred to exhort him to return Item Commissioners were named out of the four Nations to examine John Huss unto the definitive Sentence inclusivè Item a Citation was sent to Jerom of Prague to appear before the Councel within 15. daies 5. daies being allowed for each of three citations And a Safe-conduct was granted in these terms By the tenor hereof we give all Safe-conduct from all violence justice being excepted so far as in us lieth and the Orthodox Faith requires with certification that whether he appear or not we will proceed against him In Sess 7. May 2. a Citation was directed against Pope John In Sess 8. May 4. the Articles against John Wickliff were read these and he and his memory were condemned and it was ordained that his bones should be taken up and burnt In Sess 9. the execution of the citation against Pope John was exhibited In Sess 10. May 14. Pope John for his notorious simony or selling of Benefices and because he is not only diffamed but really defiled with other grievous crimes and is incorrigible is suspended from all spiritual administration and the process is to be followed unto his deposition In Sess 11. May 15. the Articles against Pope John were read and sent unto him together with a citation to appear hear and see himself deposed in the next Session In Sess 12. May 29. the Commissioners unto Pope John made their report and it was ordained that if the Papal Chair should be vacant another Pope should not be chosen without the consent of the Councel Item definitive Sentence of Deposition was pronounced against Pope John the XXIV for his departing from the City privily in the night and disguised in habit and for the scandal given by him in troubling the peace and union of the Church contrary to his promise oath and vow unto God and the Church and this sacred Councel Item That none of these three who in time of their obedience were called Pope John the XXIV Benedict the XII and Gregory the XIII should be chosen Pope or if they shall be chosen their election shall be null In Sess 13. June 15. Although Christ did institute after Supper and gave unto his Disciples both kindes bread and wine hoc non obstante the Authority of holy Canons and the approved Custom of the Church hath kept and keepeth that the holy Sacrament is not given after Supper nor taken by any not fasting excepting the case of infirmity or other necessity allowed by Law and the Church And although in the primitive Church this Sacrament was received by Believers under both kindes yet ..... we command under the pain of excommunication that no Priest communicate unto the people under both kindes of bread and wine This was the first time that such an Act was made in a Councel In Sess 14. June 24. Charls de Malatestis Rector of Romandiola being sent Proctor by Pope Gregory approveth the Councel and simply renounceth his Papacy Item The Acts canonically done by Pope Gregory the XIII before that instant were approved and his Cardinals were received with the song Te Deum laudamus Item It was ordained that a Pope should be chosen in manner time and place as the Councel shall appoint Item Citation was directed against Pope Benedict In Sess 15. July 6. The Articles of John Huss were read to wit 1. The holy Catholick Church is but one which is the universality of the predestinated 2. Paul was never a member of the Divel although he did some acts like to the acts of the malignant Church 3. Praesciti or those who are foreknown are not any part of the Church since no part of her falleth finally because the charity of predestination falleth not away 4. The two natures God-head and man-hood are one Christ 5. Although he who is foreknown be in grace according to present righteousness yet he is never a part of the holy Church but he who is predestinated abideth ever a member of the Church although he fall from temporary grace yet he never falleth from the grace of predestination 6. Taking the Church for the company of the predestinated whether they be in grace or not according to present righteousness after that manner is an Article of the Faith 7. Peter was not nor is the head of the Catholick Church 8. Priests living criminously defile the power of Priest-hood and as unfaithful Children they think amiss of the seven Sacraments of the Keys Offices Censures Manners Rites worshipping Reliques Indulgences and Orders 9. The Papal power hath flowed from Caesar 10. None without revelation can reasonably say of himself or of any other that he is the head of a particular Church neither is the Priest of Rome the head of that Church 11. We should not believe that who is particular high Priest of Rome is the head of any particular Church unless God hath predestinated him 12. None hath the place of Christ or of Peter unless he follow them in manners 13. The Pope is not the true Successor of Peter and if he follow avarice he is the Vicar of Judas Iscariot and the Cardinals are not the Successors of the Colledge of the Apostles unless they follow their manners and keep the commands of Christ 14. Doctors holding that one worthy of Ecclesiastical censure if he will not amend should be given unto Secular power assuredly in this they follow the high Priests Scribes and Pharisees in delivering Christ unto Pilate because he would not follow them in all things and they were worse murtherers then Pilate 15. Ecclesiastical obedience is an human invention and contrary to the express authority of Scripture 16. Mens works are either vicious or godly for if a man be vicious his works are vicious and if he be vertuous his works are vertuous for as mortal sin infecteth all the actions of a vicious man so vertue quickneth all the actions of a vertuous man 17. A Priest of Christ living according to his Law and having knowledge of the Scriptures and affection to edifie people should preach notwithstanding any pretended excommunication 18. Who by command accepteth the Office of a Preacher and cometh to the Office of Priest-hood should also execute that Office notwithstanding any pretended excommunication 19. By Church censures of excommunication suspension and interdiction the Clergy for their own exaltation supplant the Lay-people multiply avarice protect malice and prepare a way unto Antichrist it is an evident token that such censures proceed from Antichrist that by such censures which they call fulminations they proceed especially against them who discover the wickedness of Antichrist and he will principally maintain himself by the Clergy 20. If the Pope be an evil man especially if he be praescitus then as the Apostle Judas he is a Divel a
baptisme pennance and sacrament of the altar little or nothing differing from the Church of Rome 3. he declareth that the cause of our justification is the only mercy of the Father promised freely unto us for his son Christs sake and for the merit of his passion yet good works are necessary with inward contrition charity and other spirituall graces and good motions that is when wee have received remission of our sins or are justified we must give obedience unto God in observing his Law 4. he commandeth pastors to teach their people that images should not be worshipped and are but representers of vertue and good example and therefore no incence knieling nor offering should be done unto them 5. Saints are to be praised or Christ is to be praised in them for their graces and good example that they have left unto us but wee obtain all grace by the only Mediation of Jesus Christ and of none other 6. concerning ceremonies as holy vestures holy water bearing candles on Candlemes-day and some such others he admits them to be good so far as they put men in remembrance of spirituall things but so that they contain in them no power to remit or take a way sin c. There he addeth other iniunctions specially he causethto translate the Bible and commandeth all priests to have a Latine and English Bible lying open in their parish-churches that whosoever pleaseth may read them Then diverse images were demolished An. 1538 especially the most notable stocks of idolatry at Walsingham Worchester ... which had devices to role their â—ies and to stirre other parts of their body and many other false juglings wherewith simple people had been deceived all which was then made known and destroyed Jo. Foxe in Acts. In the same year followeth the ruine of all religious as they had been called houses by advice of the same L-Cromwell Lord of the privy seale So that all friers Nuns and sects of religion were rooted out of England to the number of 645. Abbeys priories and Nuneries and by Act of Parliament their lands did return to the heirs of the first Donours All that time Steeven Gardener Bishop of Winchester so dealt with the king by representing unto him the grudge of his subjects for rejecting the pope and for his dealing toward his wifes he had then married Anna Sister to the Duke of Cleve An. 1539. and for these his late doings that he persuadeth him for taking away suspicion of heresy to consent unto the burning of John Lambert yea Gardener prevaileth so that the king hearkned no more unto L. Cromwell but contrariwise he beheaded him and Walter L. Hungerford July 28 An. 1540. Tho. Cooper He made an Act discharging the Translation of the Bible made by W. Tindall and restraining the authorized Translation with many limitations An. 34. Henr. VIII It came then to passe that the estate of Religion seemed more and more to decay and popish injunctions were authorized establishing Transubstantiation vowes of chastity private Masses and auricular confession and forbidding communion in both kinds and marriage of priests wherefore some said Henry had forsaken the Pope but not popery and he annulled not those former Statutes Such was the craft of the venemous serpent But God raiseth up some good instruments for Thomas Cranmer archb of Canterburry resists Gardener and the Counsel of England was divided some were for the old Religion and some for the Reformed and Statutes of both sorts were in force So in one day at Smith field An. 1541. Gardener with his faction for refusing his articles caused burn three godly men Do. Robert Barnes Tho. Garret Will Jerom priests and Tho Cranmer with his side caused hang drawe and quarter other three Ed. Powell Ric. Fetherston Tho. Abell for denying the kings Supremacy and maintaining the Bishop of Rome's authority Jo. Foxe in Acts. A stranger beholding these said Good God how can men live here on the one side Papists are hanged and on the other anti-papists are burnt The people were brought marvelously into doubt of Religion All the number of them which suffered in England for maintaining Papacy which was called Treason wer 24 persons but of the other sort many were burnt and so many were imprisoned the same year that room could not be found in the prisons of London and many were kept in other houses by intercession of the L. Chanceller Audley many of them were given to the custody of Noble men where they were used favourably In that year Henry was divorced from his fourth wife by Sentence of his Clergy which did hate her for Lutheranisme as they spoke yet with her own consent and within a month he married Catherin Howard a brothers daughter of the house of Norfolk the next year she was accused of adultery with Tho. Culpeper and beheaded in the Tower with Jane Lady Rocheford as accessory unto her deeds After that Henry began to misse his good Counseller L. Cromwell and to perceive the scope of Gardener he wrote unto Archbisbop Cranmer to reforme pilgrimages and idolatry and he permits to eat flesh in Lent pretending a civill respect and the benâ—fite of the people But bloodie Gardener â—easeth not from persecution and burnt in one fire Ro. Testwood Ja. Filmer Jo. Marbeck and Antonie pierson at Winchester An. 1543 and great numbers at Calice amongst whom was the abovenamed Alex. Seton The Commissioners of this bloody Inquisition were restrained by the Lords of parliament An. 1545 that no inditements should be received against any person but by the oaths of 12. men at least of honesty credite and free of malice Item that no person should be put in ward before his enditement were heard judged except at the Kings speciall command Item An. 35. Henr. VIII c. 16. it was enacted that the king should have full authority to appoint 16. of the clergy and 16 of the Temporalty to peruse and examine the canons constitutions and ordinances Provincial and Synodal and according to their discretions with his Royall consent to setle and establish an order of Ecclesiasticall lawes to be observed in time coming in all spirituall courts As these Acts did in some measure shew the mind of the King so Gardener ceaseth not yea he spareth not the godly Lady the Kings sixth wife and sent to apprehend her but by her wisedom and submission unto the King she was saved out of the butchers handes In a word Henry was much led by his Counsellers he died in January 1547. When he saw death approaching he nameth his son Edward to be his heire and failing him he appointeth the Crown unto Mary and failing her unto Elisabeth he appointeth 16. Counsellours as Governours of his son amongst whom were Th. Cranmer and Gardener but afterward he caused to blott out Gardeners name because said he he would trouble all the rest he is of so turbulent a spirit The chieff of these Counsellers was Edward Seymer Earle of Herford uncle to king